Today we’d like to introduce you to Anne Naugle.
Hi Anne, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
The idea for the Vermilion Beach Market started with some soul-searching in 2015. I was retiring after a long career as a high school + college French teacher. As I was walking through Sherod Park, which I do almost daily, I thought it would be a great venue to host an outdoor lakeside market once I retired. I presented my idea to the Vermilion Parks Department board and the idea was well received. I took another 2 years to do my homework about permits, scouted vendors, built my own website, and got the word out. 2017 was the first annual solo endeavor Vermilion Beach Market, with a total of 50 vendors! The attendance was unbelievable for year one.
Since then, I have tried to add something new to the market and increase the number of vendors each year little by little. Because of COVID, the 2020 market was canceled by the Health Dept. I needed something to soothe my disappointment, so I started doing my homework on non-profits, and in March of 2020, I was granted non-profit status. The Vermilion Beach Market is now a 501(c)(3) non-profit, partnering with other non-profits such as Alliance for the Great Lakes. We partner with Alliance for the Great Lakes by doing an annual beach clean-up at Sherod Park and by donating a portion of proceeds annually to the organization. We also partner with the non-profit LEAKOIL, in which I am a member… The organization consists of a group of laid-back vintage VW bus owners who set up along the lake at the market and vend vintage merchandise. They also sell hot dogs as a fundraiser to benefit their non-profit. In 2021, a beachside wine bar was added, and was a huge hit!
In 2023, because the market has grown to over 100 vendors, the Vermilion Parks Dept approved an expanded layout. The vendors are set up in a customer-friendly layout on the entire west side of the park, from Lake Road to the lake. The market is now in its 8th year. It is a juried show, and the vendors are all creative professional, and above all, they come with a laid-back summer vibe!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Launching the market and organizing the event has not been a struggle. Instead, I look at everything as a learning experience. I come from the teaching profession, so I am accustomed to being pretty organized; I do my homework and follow through with ideas and requirements. It is an extraordinary amount of work, but I love all of it!
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have always worked with the public! As a teenager, I became the manager of a public swimming pool in Lorain and worked for the Lorain Rec Dept. for 10 summers. I then taught French for 31 years at the high school and college levels. Teaching has provided me with the skill set for organizing and hosting the market: organizing, recruiting, working with the public, completing permits, hiring necessary help, etc. I feel that I have good communication skills. I’m also flexible and very patient.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters a lot to me about the market is that the vendors have a successful show. I am blown away by how creative and hard-working they are. I really enjoy showcasing each of them prior to the event. To me, the market is all about the vendors!
Additionally, I want the public to appreciate that the vendors are juried so that they can expect unique, original, and high-quality merchandise. It is always my hope that despite all the attention to detail, that customers find one-of-a-kind items while experiencing a laid-back summer vibe in a beautiful lakeside locale.
Contact Info:
- Website: Vermilionbeachmarket.com
- Instagram: Vermilionbeachmarket
- Facebook: Vermilionbeachmarket
Image Credits
Bailey Uhler
